Gresini Racing Sepang test, day 1 report

THREE MORE DAYS OF TESTS BEGIN AT SEPANG It was a positive first day for the Team San Carlo Honda Gresini riders at Sepang, where the second off-season MotoGP test is taking place. Japanese rider Hiroshi Aoyama completed a hefty amount of laps (73)...

It was a positive first day for the Team San Carlo Honda Gresini riders at Sepang, where the second off-season MotoGP test is taking place. Japanese rider Hiroshi Aoyama completed a hefty amount of laps (73) as he worked hard doing comparative tests between various technical solutions for the set-up of his Honda RC212V. In the end he managed to get a positive and encouraging lap time that will help in the intense work that lies ahead in the two remaining days in Malaysia. Marco Simoncelli had a good day on the pace and got through some useful work without searching for the fast lap time. "Super Sic" and his Team were satisfied in view of the heavy work schedule planned for tomorrow. He was not worried about the second that separates him from the fastest rider having not used the soft tyre, and is certain of being on the right path to keep himself amongst the front runners of the class going into the new season.

Marco Simoncelli of San Carlo Honda Gresini

Marco Simoncelli (8th o. 2'01"996 49 laps): "We've picked up from where we left it at the last test twenty days ago here at Sepang. Track conditions were not optimal today and in any case, I've not tried for a fast lap time, we were focused doing lots of different tests. We tried several set-ups and electronic settings, which we will continue to work on tomorrow. I'm quite happy because with twenty laps on the tyres I was still able to lap around the 2' 02" mark. Honestly speaking, we are a bit behind the front-runners with about a second's gap, but I am confident nonetheless because I didn't use the softest tyre. In terms of pace, we're not far off the best, so I'm happy with that."

Hiroshi Aoyama (7th 2'01"939 73 laps): "I did a lot of laps and a lot of work today. I did lots of comparisons and found a different feeling with the bike and in the end I felt much better with the technical parts that I'd already been using. Tomorrow I will continue to work hard but it's certainly not easy to find a good feeling with the new options so we will see! In any case, it was an interesting day figuring out which direction to take so that we can make the most of the season that is fast approaching."

Fausto Gresini: "It was a positive day for both riders. Marco tried lots of technical solutions preferring substance over a fast lap time, so that we can draw the right conclusions. We are very happy that everything is going the right way because we can see that Marco is able to maintain a very high pace. In the end it went very well for Hiroshi too, who did a tremendous job trying different set-ups and making comparative tests. In conclusion, as a first day of this second test in Malaysia I am satisfied and convinced that for us it will be a season full of positive results."